Guide Listing Top 10 OSHA Serious Violations In 2009 Issued By Graphic Products

Online, February 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Beaverton, Oregon - A new guide, The Top Ten OSHA Serious Violations in 2009, is now available from Graphic Products, Inc., which provides workplace safety solutions by means of industrial label printers and labeling supplies. The guide encourages safety by offering hazard prevention tips and recommending safety labels and signs.

From OSHA's perspective, a "serious violation" is one in which there is substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to an individual.

"OSHA makes this top 10 list available so that workers can learn from past mistakes, work toward improvement and be educated on steps to maintain safe environments," said Steve Hudgik, director of corporate marketing at Graphic Products. "When standards and specific procedures are in place but are either unknown or intentionally avoided, individuals and organizations are taking a chance on life-a chance no one should be taking."

The guide provides two lists. The first list notes the total number of serious violations, along with a specific OSHA code reference, for each safety hazard category, followed by an explanation of ways in which workers can avoid each of the top 10 hazards. The second list shows the top 10 OSHA-proposed monetary penalties in 2009 as a result of OSHA inspections at specific organizations during this same period.

The guide states that, like the year 2008, the number one most frequently cited OSHA standard relates to general requirements for scaffolding in the construction industry (OHSA code 29 CFR 1926.451). A total of 8,726 serious violations were cited by OSHA in fiscal year 2009 (October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2008) for failure to meet these general requirements. An estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths could be prevented each year if this code were totally observed in the United States alone.

Other standards cited by OSHA include:

- Hazard Communication Standard, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout), General Industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
- Electrical, Wiring Methods, Components and Equipment, General Industry (29 CFR 1910.305)

"One of the most important components of safety is providing hazard communications at the point of need," said Hudgik. "It should be noted that DuraLabel printers have proven to be effective in producing highly visible labels and signs that promote safety requirements and procedures for the benefit of organizations worldwide."

The Top Ten OSHA Serious Violations in 2009 guide is available, free of charge, from Graphic Products. It may be requested by visiting http://www.graphicproducts.com/free-gifts/free-top-ten-osha-violations.php or by calling Graphic Products at 1-888-326-9244.

Graphic Products is a leading label printer and supplies dealer. It has been supplying industrial label and sign printers and supplies to industries since 1970. It is the manufacturer of the DuraLabel brand of printers that include the handheld DuraLabel 2000 up through the wide format DuraLabel 9000, and it also carries a wide variety of labelers made by other manufacturers. In addition to DuraLabel, it stocks label printer brands such as Brady, Kroy, Brother, K-Sun, Dymo and Varitronics. It also stock supplies for discontinued label printers. Graphic Products specializes in fast, same-day shipping to meet its customers' just-in-time delivery requirements. The Graphic Products Web site is located at www.graphicproducts.com/. Printers and supplies may be ordered by calling 1-888-326-9244.

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